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Flying Project

08-02-2008, 07:52 AM

I saw this a while back and became very interested in it. It has counter rotating blades so no tail rotor is needed to compensate for torque.
I am in communication with a gent in Belgium who is building a "backpack" helicopter. I'm trying to gather as much info as I can before starting construction. There are no plans.....just pictures. I had a Scorpion 1 heli back in the 80's. Repaired it but never flew it. This as you see is simple, it works, and no license is needed to fly.

I saw this a while back and became very interested in it. It has counter rotating blades so no tail rotor is needed to compensate for torque.
I am in communication with a gent in Belgium who is building a "backpack" helicopter. I'm trying to gather as much info as I can before starting construction. There are no plans.....just pictures. I had a Scorpion 1 heli back in the 80's. Repaired it but never flew it. This as you see is simple, it works, and no license is needed to fly.

Comment

No.........the rotor does not have enough mass and the rotor is fixed pitch.
To autorotate in a helicopter which is normally operating with a positive pitch
per the collective control....when loss of power happens the pilot will go negative pitch to keep rotor RPM up like an autogyro and when at the proper
altitude and start a flair pull positive pitch per the collective control and settle to the surface. You have one chance to do this and do it correct. I relate it to holding a stick shift automobile heading uphill and letting it roll back and when it starts to roll back letting out the clutch to hold it there if that makes any sense. I would never fly this out of ground effect (approx 5-8feet) unless over water or it proved to be extremely reliable. You really gain nothing by flying this higher than to clear ground obstacles. I'm ok with that. Drive thru at the bank could be a problem

One of the videos shows this flying about 15-20 feet off the ground. I would not want to fall that far if there was a problem. But Man.........how cool would this be?????

Comment

Without a doubt it would be fun. The other concern I would have is that the rotor appeared to be close to the pilot's head with no safety device. To me this is also a worry. Where did you get your helicopter knowledge...you seem to be well versed in the physics and mechanics of helicopter flight.
Nick

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i would think the one used in the james bond flick with the little cabin and one big rotter that flew more like a plane then a hello would be an easier build. i suspect you would need a license and inspection to fly it though. however it dose auto rotate to allow for safe landing should it's motor die in use. the back pack fan with a para-shoot thing is also cool and again more on the safe side should the motor take a dump.
wonder what the build $$$ would be for the lil james bond version ???
be shore to keep us posted on your build.

thanks for the help
......or..........
hope i helped
sigpic feel free to shoot me an e-mail direct i have time to chat.james@newyorkmetalart.comsummer is here, plant a tree. if you don't have space or time to plant one sponsor some one else to plant one for you. a tree is an investment in our planet, help it out.
JAMES

Comment

Without a doubt it would be fun. The other concern I would have is that the rotor appeared to be close to the pilot's head with no safety device. To me this is also a worry. Where did you get your helicopter knowledge...you seem to be well versed in the physics and mechanics of helicopter flight.
Nick

The rotor being close is no real problem unless you feel the urge to raise your arm to wave at someone
If a rotor broke loose it would be inclined to go up and out. The out of balance issue would be the real problem.
My knowledge of helis..................well, .....early 70's I purchased a set of plans for a homebuilt helicopter called a Choppy powered by a 650 cc Triumph
motorcycle engine. I think I still have the plans somewhere. I realized quickly
I didn't have enough knowledge, tools, time, etc to do this project properly.
The idea though has never left my mind. So, I built a hovercraft in mid to late
70's. Engines and propellers seemed to feed my yearn for a short while. The hovercraft is on this forum somewhere. Ok sold it. Early 80's.............found a Scorpion 1 single place homebuilt heli in need of repair cheap. Paid $600...
put in a few hundred more and many hours of labor and had everything going
except it needed a main rotor. I sold it that way and made enough profit to purchase by my Cessna 150 a month later for cash which I aquired my pilots license in. During the heli stage I did a lot of reading etc. I had many manuals on the Scorpion and learned a lot. Those guys are gone now but not the dream. So another project is in order. yeaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!

Comment

i would think the one used in the james bond flick with the little cabin and one big rotter that flew more like a plane then a hello would be an easier build. i suspect you would need a license and inspection to fly it though. however it dose auto rotate to allow for safe landing should it's motor die in use. the back pack fan with a para-shoot thing is also cool and again more on the safe side should the motor take a dump.
wonder what the build $$$ would be for the lil james bond version ???
be shore to keep us posted on your build.

Bond flew an autogyro. The main rotor is not powered and act like a wing for
lift as it rotates with forward air speed supplied by the engine and prop behind the pilot. If they loose the pusher engine, they can still land safely
if they have been taught properly and glide in. Gliders do it every day.
There is a 1969 Bensen autogyro on e bay for about $2200 with no bids.
Oh yeah..................Bond had missles and stuff.........cool!!!!!! Ya know these add to the cost

Comment

The rotor being close is no real problem unless you feel the urge to raise your arm to wave at someone
If a rotor broke loose it would be inclined to go up and out. The out of balance issue would be the real problem.
My knowledge of helis..................well, .....early 70's I purchaced a set of plans for a homebuilt helicopter called a Choppy powered by a 650 cc Triumph
motorcycle engine. I think I still have the plans somewhere. I realized quickly
I didn't have enough knowledge, tools, time, etc to do this project properly.
The idea though has never left my mind. So, I built a hovercraft in mid to late
70's. Engines and propellers seemed to feed my yearn for a short while. The hovercraft is on this forum somewhere. Ok sold it. Early 80's.............found a Scorpion 1 single place homebuilt heli in need of repair cheap. Paid $600...
put in a few hundred more and many hours of labor and had everything going
except it needed a main rotor. I sold it that way and made enough profit to purchace by my Cessna 150 a month later for cash which I aquired my pilots license in. During the heli stage I did a lot of reading etc. I had many manuals on the Scorpion and learned a lot. Those guys are gone now but not the dream. So another project is in order. yeaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!

Hey Nick,
The same for me I had a private pilots license and enjoyed flying. I flew a Skipper and a 152...then I had kids and could not justify my hobby. As far as the gyros go I have flown in a two place gyro...there were two popular brands at the time, his was a Benson. I believe they were Benson and Air Command does that sound correct? I will tell you that flight was ten times more exciting than my fixed wing flights. Basically you have a seat (which doubled as a fuel tank) under your butt and a stick of aluminum between your legs. These were Rotax, Subaru or VW powered. Keep me posted if you decide on the gyro.
Nick

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Monte, i think its great. I have always wanted to build a homebuilt airplane. I got my start in aviation (i got my A&P at 18). Unfortunately life takes in different directions than we may want. I will be watching, post plenty of pics

Comment

It looks like it might be fun. I can see the connection to welding effort also.

I must say, however, that it looks like the operator (pilot?) would be in a very precarious position in the event of a crash. Those two blades would filet the pilot in the time it would take to stop once it hits the ground.

I guess I'm saying that it looks extremely dangerous due to the open blades.